Hy-Vee Academy
Preparation for the work world

• Students learn about job & career options
• They also learn how to:
• Write resumes
• Conduct themselves during job interviews
• Local Hy-Vee store managers lead the program
• Hy-Vee Academy runs for 5 weeks, concluding with a graduation ceremony
• Program encourages students to apply at Hy-Vee stores
• Students learn professional principles they can apply anywhere

Community partner:  Hy-Vee, Inc.

Tutoring Programs*
Academic help & enrichment in many forms

• Sites offer special programs that focus on literacy and math skills, along with general tutoring
• Levitt and McCombs school locations provide access to school facilities
• Levitt site offers Jacobson Academy

Community partners:  George Washington Carver School, McCombs Middle School, Drake University, Everybody Wins!

Earth Heroes / Earth Club
Environmental stewardship and appreciation for nature

• Members learn about science careers and how to take care of the Earth every day
• Community Gardening is a new part of Earth Heroes:
• Botanical Center donated 10 garden plots to the Club kids
• Kids grow, harvest, and cook their own produce
• Center also donated 10 plots to Club kids’ families
• Read more...

Community partners:  Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Des Moines Botanical Center, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Reading Rangers
Reading that grows Iowa’s forests

• Club kids 2nd through 5th grade read environmentally-themed books with volunteers
• For every 20 pages the kids read, the Iowa DNR plants a tree in one of Iowa’s forests
• Reading Rangers runs during Earth Week

Community partner:  Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Science Club
Hands-on scientific exploration

• Kids learn scientific concepts by performing actual experiments suited for their age group
• Club members can learn how to make fun materials such as:
• Crystals
• Lip gloss
• Ice cream

Book Clubs
Places kids can share their love of reading

• Kids of all ages can join Book Clubs
• Book Club members keep their books when they finish reading them

Power Hour*
Expected time just for academics

• “Power Hour” is the 1-2 hours a day we always set aside for academics
• Power Hour is offered once a day during the school year and twice daily during summer Club time
• Power Hour focuses on homework during the school year
• Summertime Power Hour teaches literacy and math competency by using hands-on games and problem-solving activities

PALS
“Positive Alliance of Little Scholars”

• PALS gives the youngest Club members at our Levitt site a good mix of structure and free time
• K-1st grade kids have a rhythm of educational, fine arts, and physical activities every day, along with free time